Worried by the killings of innocent people by invading unknown gunmen at Zaki-Biam in Benue State on March 20, and the attendant destruction of property worth millions of naira, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris, has deployed the Police Special Tactical Force, comprising Police Mobile Force (specially trained anti-riot policemen), Counter Terrorism Units, conventional policemen, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SIB, detachment of EOD, Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), Police Air Wing (Aerial Surveillance Helicopters) and other undercover operatives with their headquarters in Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Police STF is led by the Commissioner of Police in charge of PMF, Force Headquarters, Abuja under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations.
According to the IGP, “to achieve success of the operations, the PSTF will be proactive, work on actionable intelligence already at the disposal of the Nigeria Police Force, and carry out massive deployment, and 24-hour surveillance and patrol, continuous raids of identified and other suspected hideouts of the assailants, with a view to arrest promptly the attackers and their sponsors to prevent further loss of lives and nip in the bud the senseless killings and other criminalities in the area.
The deployment of the PSTF personnel will cover all the communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, government and private infrastructures and facilities in the area.
Police helicopters will also embark on guided missions and aerial surveillance of the entire area, most especially difficult terrains, and will operate in synergy with other police formations on the ground.
The Joint Investigation Team attached to the PSTF is made up personnel of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, FSARS, SIP, Intelligence Response Team, Technical Intelligence Unit and Special Tactical Squad, headed by an experienced Commissioner of Police under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police, FCIID, are already in Zaki-Biam and are making progress in the investigation into the killings of innocent people that occurred on Monday 20.
The IGP, consequently urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, parents and guardians to prevail on their subjects and the youths to exercise restraint and support the personnel of the PSTF in the discharge of itsresponsibilities to bring the perpetrators of this gruesome killings to justice.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force have assured the good people of Benue State of its renewed commitment to guarantee and sustain the protection of their lives and property and enjoin them to allow justice and peace to prevail and also cooperate with men and officers of the Police Special Tactical Force deployed in their localities.
